5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING OFF CAMPUS!!!

1. BETTER EARLY THAN LATE!!!



Make sure you start looking for a place early because believe it or not, by April, all the good places will be gone and if you are unlucky, you might have to move in with strangers you found on GumTree!

 

2. PROXIMITY!!

 

Find somewhere close to where you spend most of your time! Maybe you spend a lot of time in the city, then get yourself a house in the city, but if you spend a lot of time on campus, then get yourself a house close to campus.  Try the Village, or The Avenues, Bluebell Road, Gypsy Lane, Northpark, Southpark or maybe somewhere near TESCO. The further you go from campus the more you might like to invest in a bus pass or a bike.  Also take note of bus routes and make sure you live somewhere where commuting to campus is not a hustle!

 

3. FRIENDS

I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH: MOVE IN WITH YOUR FIRENDS! I know in the first year there is a lot of pressure to move in with you flatmates, but if these are not your friends, then don't do it! Even if it is just one friend, better that one friend than 7 people you don't particularly like.  Remember that you can't force someone to move out just because you don't get along any more, because once they sign that contract, they have just as much right to be there as you do! Bad housemates could make for a bad Uni experience!

4. AFFORDABLE OVER ADORABLE!

It's important to pick a place you can actually afford.  Don't be caught up in the beauty of your place that you forget your financial situation.  Don't risk eviction for a garden and an extra meter in your bedroom.

5. READ THE CONTRACT!!!!

It is not like the Apple terms and conditions!  You can't just accept and hope for the best.  Heed the warnings of a law student! Please! Please! Please! make sure you know what you are signing and what rights you have and what rights your landlord has.  Although there aren't many people out to take advantage of you, it's better you are safe than sorry.


I hope this helped and good luck finding a place. Start looking now!

Ashleigh Nyambirai (Southern African Ambassador)